2022-2023 Game 71: San Diego Gulls at Colorado Eagles

Taking to the road for their final two games of the season the San Diego Gulls were greeted by the return from injury of Brayden Tracey as well as a whole host of other players that could not be slotted into the suddenly crowded and healthy line-up.

Gates Jr was moved to center for the third line while Brayden Tracey was reunited with Jacob Perreault on his opposite wings. Josh Lopina was moved to the fourth line – lining up alongside the impressive youngster Hvidston. All other lines remained the same with BO Groulx and Drew Helleson returning after seeing action with the Ducks for two games. Calle Clang was given the start in net.

Update: It was announced just before puck drop that Chase De Leo was a late scratch with Josh Lopina taking his spot on the top line and Bryce Kindopp drawing back in on the fourth line.

First Period:

San Diego looked relatively OK to start – with some good transition and speed through the neutral zone but a fight that began behind the play between Drew Helleson and Matt Stienburg ceased any San Diego momentum.

The Eagles took their lead from the fight and picked up the physicality, creating space for their forwards and quickly jumping out to a 1-0 lead as the danger-man Charles Hudon was given too much time and space to measure a shot from the low circles that beat Clang through traffic.

The penalties started to flow in a steady torrent – seeing the Gulls facing a five on three at one point that was short lived as BO Groulx stick was slashed out of his hand trying to get to a loose puck at the point.

With Justin Kirkland sitting in the box for his second straight infraction the Eagles made it 2-0 with just under three minutes left in the period.

With the Gulls finally getting a Power Play of their own in the final minute of the period – the first unit – featuring BO Groulx in the place of Chase De Leo spent some time in the Colorado zone but could not tee a clear one-timer as Chase Priskie fanned on his only opportunity.

The Gulls down 2-0 going into the first intermission and trailing in shots 15-6.

Second Period: Colorado Eagles 2- 0 San Diego Gulls 0

With the second going much the same way as the first – with varying degrees of either team playing on special teams – the Eagles clearly held much of the momentum and possession owed to their ongoing physical play.

As play returned to five on five the Gulls slowly but surely eased their way into the Colorado zone and started to rack up the shots in the process while forcing the odd mistake.

Perhaps their best chance to get on the board coming courtesy of a breakaway for Brent Gates – whose forehand to backhand move opened up the Eagles goaltender but the former Ducks draft pick could not angle his shot into the five-hole.

The Gulls had a full two minute Power Play to close out the period but could not create a clear opportunity other than a diving Jacob Perreault backdoor tip that just missed and as the period came to a close Dylan Sikura was called for slashing as he dislodged the Eagles goaltenders stick from his hands on a drive-by. A scoreless period but a much better one from the Gulls as he lead in shots 12-5 on the period bringing the total to 23-18.

Third Period: Colorado Eagles 2 – San Diego Gulls 0

Starting the final frame on the penalty kill the Gulls looked good in erasing the minor to Sikura that carried over from the previous period.

As play returned to five on five and they attempted to get back to the task at hand of mounting a comeback an errant bounce that went off Andrej Sustr caught Clang off-guard as he was still tracking the puck heading the other direction and it slid by him to make it 3-0 Colorado.

Play started to open up as we approached the mid-way mark and a stretch-pass found Bryce Kindopp entering the Colorado zone with speed where he was able to wind up and fire a blast that beat the Eagles goaltender glove side. 3-1 Eagles.

The Eagles spent most of the rest of the period settling into a conservative approach to protecting their lead – looking much like a penalty kill as they dared the Gulls to carve out territory into their zone.

Colorado then proceeded to suck all joy and life out of the game for the final few minutes – eventually taking the win but not before I nodded off a few times.

Post Game Notes:

Where is Andy?

This was the third straight game without Andy Zilch calling the action and his absence has been more than noticeable. I don’t want to speculate but the lack of announcement from either himself or the team is extremely strange.

Similarly I hope the last minute scratching of De Leo wasn’t anything too concerning.

Oh that’s right, I hate watching the Gulls play the Eagles

The third period in particular was so boring that the crowd was actually more entertaining than the game. Although I do take some solace that these two clubs will soon be switching positions. Very soon.

What goes up must come down

The Eagles are in the position of having the final dregs of Colorado’s previous cellar-dwelling era and prime-drafting years flowing through. That will soon change and that flow will dry up as Colorado has spent the last few years wheeling and dealing to win a Stanley Cup and keep their contending window open. On the flip side the Gulls are about to enjoy the very beginnings of Anaheim’s rebuild drafts and are already looking like they will be a much, much better team next year. Not even Eagles games will be boring any longer.

Who sits?

Charlie Meredith made a good point on Twitter.

I wasn’t quite ready to give up on Andersson just yet but I also know there isn’t really room for him on the squad next season. Keep an eye out for an upcoming article on an early look at what the roster could look like for next season.